Understanding Silly Putty
Silly Putty is a type of silicone-based putty that was invented by James Wright in 1943. It is known for its unique properties, such as the ability to stretch and mold into different shapes, and its ability to adhere to certain materials such as paper or fabric. Today, it is a popular toy for kids, but many people are unaware of its capability to thicken or thin out when certain substances are added. In this article, we will explore the basics of Silly Putty and how it can be thickened.
What is Silly Putty?
Silly Putty is a reusable, plastic-like material that stretches, bounces, molds and shatters. It was invented in 1943 by James Wright and obtained its name from the fact that it seems to have some of the properties of both silly putty and rubber. It is composed mostly of silicone polymers and has an unusual viscoelasticity: it can be stretched to many times its original length before breaking; it bounces yet quickly forms into a puddle when heated. It can also easily pick up ink from comic strips or magazines.
Silly Putty products come in a variety of colors with each having slightly different characteristics in terms of hardness, elasticity, stickiness as well as color stability. People often use Silly Putty for fun crafts such as molds or even jewelry making. But aside from being used for activities like these, there are other ways Silly Putty can be used to benefit everyday life. With a few household items you might already have on hand such as cornstarch and glue, you can thicken any type of Silly Putty into different consistencies suitable for your project needs.
How does Silly Putty work?
Silly Putty is a fun, pliable material that is often used as a toy but can also be used in many practical applications. It can bounce like rubber or spread like a liquid. It was originally developed by scientists from the United States during World War II to replace rubber, which was in short supply at the time. Silly Putty is unique because of its non-Newtonian properties, meaning it behaves differently based on different forces applied to it.
When stretched slowly, Silly Putty behaves like an elastic solid — it stretches out and then snaps back into shape when released. As it is stretched more quickly and with more force, it behaves like a viscous fluid — it spreads out into a thin sheet before snapping back when released. When kneaded, pulled or twisted quickly and vigorously, it will break off into pieces before reforming its shape. This happens because of the way that Silly Putty’s particles move around each other and interact when different forces are applied to them.
In addition to responding differently based on speed and force of manipulation, Silly Putty has some unique features that scientists have yet to identify the true source for: for example, bouncing off surfaces faster than expected when dropped from even moderate heights or stuck together in seemingly gravitational-defying ways under certain circumstances! Understanding how these features come about may help researchers unlock future scientific breakthroughs — so keep playing with your Silly Putty!
Thickening Silly Putty
There are several methods that can be used to thicken Silly Putty. The most common method to thicken Silly Putty is to add more of the main ingredients, such as cornstarch, white glue, and baking soda. You can also add food coloring to the Silly Putty, which will help to give it a thicker consistency. Another way to thicken Silly Putty is to use a commercial thickening agent. Let’s go over these methods in detail.
Adding Cornstarch
One of the most popular methods for thickening Silly Putty is to add cornstarch. Cornstarch is a natural binding agent with hundreds of uses in cooking and home projects. To thicken the Silly Putty using cornstarch, you will need the following materials: 1 cup of Silly Putty, 4 tablespoons of cornstarch, and 2 teaspoon of vinegar.
To begin, put the Silly Putty into a bowl and slowly stir as you add the cornstarch. Keep stirring until full combined; then pour in the vinegar gradually as you continue stirring. You may need to add more cornstarch or vinegar until your desired thickness is achieved. Once finished, store your thickened Silly Putty away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures and use it to create fun shapes or craft projects!
Adding Baking Soda
Baking soda is an effective way to thicken Silly Putty without changing its consistency too much. Adding 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per cup of Silly Putty will help thicken it and give it better molding properties. It’s a good idea to add a tiny pinch of baking soda at a time, since too much can make the putty stiff instead of stretchy-gooey. To ensure proper mixing, start by adding some warm water to the mixture, then try and mix some of the baking powder before adding more. Keep kneading until the desired thickness and consistency are achieved.
Adding Liquid Starch
Making Silly Putty thicker is possible with household ingredients. The simplest way to thicken Silly Putty is by adding liquid starch a few drops at a time, until desired consistency is achieved. Liquid starch may also be used to make the putty stickier temporarily and easier to knead.
To thicken your Silly Putty with liquid starch, you will need an old plastic bag and some liquid starch. Begin by adding a few drops of liquid starch into the plastic bag, then add your Silly Putty on top. Knead the putty in the bag while adding additional drops of liquid starch until it reaches the desired consistency.
Once you have achieved your ideal thickness, you can use the Silly Putty immediately or store in an airtight container for later use. To further prevent evaporation and ensure long-lasting enjoyment of your homemade putty, consider wrapping it in cling wrap or cellophane before storing away. To keep it malleable and extend its life even longer, knead in several drops of vegetable oil periodically as needed or when not in use.
Other Uses for Silly Putty
Silly Putty is a popular toy for children, but did you know it has a number of other uses? Aside from simply playing with it, you can use Silly Putty for a variety of creative and practical projects. In this article, we’ll cover several alternative uses for Silly Putty, such as how to thicken it for various applications.
Making Molds
Molds can be made with Silly Putty by pressing materials such as rocks, keys, coins, or other objects into the putty and then lifting it out. Once these molds have been created, you can use them to make copies of the object that was used for the initial mold. By heating and cooling the putty, you can create a permanent mold that allows for multiple replications to be made from one mold. Heating Silly Putty will make it thicker and allow for sharper details to be captured in the molds.
Removing Stains
Removing Stains: Silly Putty can be used to remove stains from fabric because it can pick up dirt, dust and lint. To do this, take a small piece of Silly Putty and rub it over the stained areas of the fabric. This will help to draw out the stain and make it easier to clean. Once you have removed as much of the stain as possible, you can then wash the garment in your washing machine according to its care instructions.
Stress Relief
Silly Putty is not just for kids; it’s also a helpful stress relief tool for adults who are dealing with tension. Silly Putty can provide tactile stimulation that allows people to work through stress and anxiety. Its malleability offers users a way to work out any issues they may have while they relax. With Silly Putty in hand, you can play with, knead, press, and stretch the substance until your worries fade away.
In addition to being used as a stress-relieving tool, people have begun using Silly Putty as an accessory in their home decor. Creative minds everywhere have put the pliable substance to use as temporary artwork on walls, forming items like DIY wall hangings or decorations. Due to its temporary nature and its ease of use and clean up, Silly Putty is also great for use in offices or therapy rooms, allowing employees and clients alike to stay relaxed during meetings.
Safety Tips
Silly Putty is a popular craft item, but if you want to customize it and make it thicker, there are a few safety precautions you must take. Thickening Silly Putty can involve working with hazardous chemicals like contact cement, which can be dangerous if not handled with care. Before you try to thicken your Silly Putty, it’s important to understand the safety tips and precautions to avoid any potential hazards.
Keep Away from Children
Silly Putty can be a fun and creative toy for children to play with, but it’s important to keep kids safe when using it. Silly Putty is not recommended for children under the age of three due to their inability to adequately control the putty. Additionally, any child over the age of three should properly be supervised by an adult during playtime with Silly Putty.
In addition, avoid contact between Silly Putty and food or drinks as its oils can easily contaminate them. Be aware that when left out in a warm environment, Silly Putty will quickly become very soft and could present a choking hazard if ingested by accident or on purpose. Keep away from babies, small children and pets at all times, as even the slightest nibble can cause sore throats or other medical problems.
Moreover, never store Silly Putty in temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit as this could cause heat damage to the product. As the extreme heat may cause changes in consistency, it is not recommended to use microwaves or ovens when attempting to thicken Silly Putty as these methods could be dangerous due to potential fire hazards or overheating of the product. Furthermore, do not place overly hard objects like coins on top of thin layers of Silly Putty; this could make it brittle and thus more likely to break off into pieces when mixed with other objects causing choking hazards.
Avoid Ingestion
When handling Silly Putty, it is important to remember that ingestion of the substance is not safe, and can even be a choking hazard for young children. Since the material is non-toxic, it will typically pass through the digestive system and out of the body if swallowed. However, this is a process that should be avoided as it can cause nausea and vomiting. Make sure to use caution when working with Silly Putty around small children or pets to ensure their safety. If an individual swallows any amount of Silly Putty, they should immediately seek medical attention.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place
When storing silly putty, it is important to keep the material in a cool, dry place. Long exposure to direct sunlight, heat or humidity can make the product harder or even affected by mold. Keeping silly putty in a dark closet away from any kind of moisture or heat is ideal. You should also keep the container tightly closed when not in use, as this will reduce potential exposure of the product to damaging elements. If you find that your silly putty has become too hard, try pressing and stretching it repeatedly until it starts to feel softer and more malleable. This technique also prevents sticking and keeps your silly putty lasting longer.
